I usually spend about 10 hours inside the school building on any given day. That means 50 hours/week. Add in the time I spend on the weekend and you're probably up to about 55. Which sounds like a more-than-adequate work week. Yet I can't figure out how that never seems like enough time.
And trust me, those are ten badass hours. I usually work through my lunch, or if I do stop, I only take about half the period. Factor in a bathroom or coffee break here and there and I'm still working for nine or nine-and-a-half solid hours. How is that not enough time?
I don't know, but since I'm not Jewish, I suppose I'm doing my own personal version of the Day of Atonement in my home office today with a nice thick folder of student essays and two lesson plans to write. And even so, all that work, which will likely take a few hours, will only get me through Friday. They say that work will expand to fill the available space, and I think that's true, but I'm not doing much beyond what I need to do to keep my head above water, either. I don't advise a club or serve on any committees; since I'm teaching a brand-new class this year, I decided I need to have time to focus on planning. And it's turning out to be pretty demanding.
I realize that this is hardly breaking news to any of my colleagues, but as always, I actively seek tips on time management. I've clearly mastered the "saying no" part, but I'm wondering how I still don't seem to have enough time to do more than just barely stay ahead of the curve.